Theatre District Condos

Tarion’s 2018 High-Rise Builder of the Year, Plaza, is launching the sequel to the first phase of Plaza’s Theatre District Condominiums that promises to be another blockbuster in the heart of the Entertainment District.

Locations simply don’t come any better than this for urbanites who appreciate culture, entertainment, fine dining and a sophisticated lifestyle. The first phase of Theatre District Condos at 8 Widmer Street, consisting of a residential 49-storey tower and six historic townhouses, sold quickly.

The development is in the midst of some of the city’s most desirable shopping, nightlife and dining options. It’s a highly walkable neighbourhood well-served by transit and offers easy access to the PATH system.

Phase 2 at 28 Widmer, at the corner of Adelaide, will incorporate a hotel owned by the international Riu hotel chain on the first 24 floors, with a 23-storey residential condo above. While Widmer is a quiet, residential street, it’s steps from the vibrancy of the Entertainment District and the action of the annual Toronto International Film Festival.

“Riu identified the Toronto marketplace 10 years ago as a location they wanted and the Theatre District location is one of the best, if not the best, urban location in the country,” says Plaza’s Scott McLellan. “The Toronto hotel is Riu’s first venture in Canada.”

The hotel will be a separate entity from the condos, with its own entrance, elevators, and amenities. It’s expected to attract many international guests, as well as North American visitors.

McLellan says Riu urban hotels have a different concept than their all-inclusive Caribbean resorts. While the Theatre District will incorporate a bar and a restaurant that will servebreakfast and lunch, the idea is to encourage people to get out and explore the neighbourhood’s cafes and restaurants.

Buyers of the residential condos will also enjoy a sophisticated lifestyle in the heart of one of the city’s most exciting neighbourhoods. “It’s become an increasingly popular place to live,” says McLellan. “People want to be part of the energy of the area, close to great restaurants, theatres, TIFF and Billy Bishop Airport.”

The architecture of the Theatre District Condominiums, designed by Quadrangle Architects, respects the King West neighbourhood’s heritage flavour while incorporating modern elements. The materials, scale and detailing of the two towers’ 11- storey podiums pay tribute to the 1920s Art Deco-era Commodore Building immediately west of Adelaide. The towers use faceted, shaded metal panels within an elegant pattern.The hotel and condominiums of 28 Widmer are seamlessly interwoven in the tower design, and the upper level residential suites enjoy expansive downtown views. The two towers’ individual lobbies are connected internally and they share amenity spaces at the ground floor and the third floor of the podium at 8 Widmer.

Responding to feedback received from buyers in the first phase, McLellan says Phase 2 will include many larger suites, with 70 per cent of the units offered as two or three-bedroom layouts, with the remaining 30 per cent one-bedroom or one-bedroom with den. “There is a demand for larger suites and a lot of people are understanding if they are going to be living downtown in the future, they are going to want to live in space. In the first phase, the larger units sold quickly.”

Some two-bedroom units are 675 square feet with an internal second bedroom, while others are 720 square feet with all bedrooms having windows. The shape of the building has allowed Plaza to create many very nice corner units. Units will range from the low $600,000s to $1.7 million, still affordable when compared to detached home prices in the city.

Residents also benefit from a Triple A location and first-class amenities including outdoor pool, fully equipped gym and party room. They’ll also be in an amenity-rich neighbourhood that includes some of the city’s best retail stores and restaurants.

The Bank of Canada held its target for the overnight rate at 1.75 per cent on Jan. 9, where it has been since October 2018, and is lowering its growth forecast this year for Canada and around the world.

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A team of volunteers from Great Gulf recently prepared and served food at Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) in Toronto, by participating in the Home for Dinner program bringing smiles and a delicious, hot dinner to 150 people.

The GTA new home market saw more typical activity levels in November, both in new home sales and new project openings, after a relatively strong October, the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) reports.

Established in 1987, Caesarstone pioneered the original quartz surface and continues to be a leading developer and manufacturer of premium surfaces. Highly functional and design forward, Caesarstone surfaces have endless application possibilities including kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, wall paneling, furniture and more.

Fisher & Paykel incorporates the world’s most innovative technologies and produce the most technically advanced, efficient and contemporary styled appliances. DCS created the first line of high end, commercial quality appliances and expanded to pioneer indoor and outdoor kitchen solutions for the at home chef. TRADE ONLY.

At Riobel we design, create and assemble faucets, shower systems and accessories in our Canadian facility located in St-Jérôme, a suburb of Montréal. Our modern and fashionable products are designed to fit all kitchens or bathrooms. They are easy to install, while mechanical parts are accessible from above the counter to facilitate cleaning and maintenance. Riobel: a benchmark of excellence since 1995!

We've been proudly serving the community for more than 160 years. We deliver natural gas safely and reliably to two million homes and businesses across Ontario. With safety as our ongoing priority, we're committed to making communities better places to live.

Sharing Passion & Performance. With our unique expertise and sensibilities, gained from our devotion to sound and music, we are committed to creating excitement and cultural inspiration together with people around the world.

Euro-Line Appliances has brought elite European engineered appliances to Canadian homes for over 25 years. Our brands exceed expectations and have earned awards in design, engineering, performance, and energy efficiency. All of our cooking, refrigeration, dishwashers, and laundry appliances are created to conserve our non-renewable resources.

X-Tile is sure to have whatever you need to express your unique individual style. We offer you an exceptional variety of wall and flooring options in ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, glass, mosaic and much more from leading suppliers around the world. Let our knowledgeable and friendly staff help you in your dream renovation or building project.

Through our customer feedback, we have learned the importance of ‘service’. You said and we listened. We addressed your needs and improvised; bringing you services and quality no one in the industry offers.

Over the past 14 years Factory Tile Depot has become #1 for everything tile and stone. With 5 locations showcasing the latest and greatest trends in the tile industry, we have built the confidence of trade and retail clients alike. We are proud to offer well thought out showrooms, extensive selections of hard to find tile-stone, on site designers, and some of the best after care support in the industry. Experience the FTD difference on your next project.

More than a kitchen and bath luxury showroom, The Water Closet offers unparalleled service, selection and solutions for all your plumbing and heating needs. Our goal is to be your full-service showroom while “Enhancing the Flow of Life”.

With over 90 years of experience, BLANCO is the leading kitchen sinks and faucets manufacturer. From handcrafted in Germany Steelart® sinks and the beauty of Silgranit®, to the European design faucets, BLANCO products are celebrated worldwide for their unmatched quality and design. Blanco Silgranit® sinks are proudly manufactured in Canada TRADE ONLY.

Since 1989 Men At Work has specialized in renewing and enlarging older houses in core Toronto neighbourhoods. We are experts in managing the challenges of renovating sensitive old buildings into beautiful, functional, comfortable living spaces.

BONE Structure has designed and patented a structural steel frame and insulation system that is the best integrator to build Net-Zero Energy custom homes. Using an integrated process inspired by the aerospace industry, we design and build high-performance, sustainable homes.

Cosentino is a global, family-owned company that produces and distributes high value innovative surfaces for the world of architecture and design, leaders in their respective segments such as Silestone® Quartz surfaces and Dekton® Ultracompact surfaces. Technologically advanced surfaces that create unique designs for the home and public spaces.

Fusion Stone is an easy and budget-friendly way to beautifully upgrade your home, inside and out. A patented Shouldice innovation, Fusion Stone is a thin stone veneer that is easily installed with the included stainless steel clips & screws. You just screw it to the wall and it’s “Hooked for Life”.

Created by fusion of exceptional design, superior quartz quality and cutting-edge technology, HansStone Quartz weaves together intriguing patterns and colours inspired by the diverse Canadian landscape.

Our furniture designs run from gracious to contemporary and everything in-between. That's why we can say, with complete confidence, "You'll find it here!" We're proud of the fact that no matter what your taste or budget - we've got furnishings and accessories that will suit your lifestyle - beautifully!

Pharmasave is one of Canada’s leading independent pharmacy and drugstore retailers. Since being founded in 1981, Pharmasave has focused on building a national platform of community based retail outlets designed to provide customers with exceptional service, products and advice.

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The Co-operators believes that buying a home for the first time should be a joy, not a pain. So we created Home to Be, a free app that provides first-time homebuyers with all the information they need to purchase the house that’s right for them.

While retirees may be exempt from the morning alarm and the daily grind that follows, they unfortunately aren’t exempt from paying tax – and filing as a retiree can be complicated.
Although there’s no longer employment income to account for, new forms of income from a pension or Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) withdrawals result in different tax obligations as well as new credits and deductions to consider.
For this reason, H&R Block has compiled the top things retirees need to know about filing to ensure they’re keeping their taxes to a minimum while avoiding penalties.

Take advantage of pension income splitting

Splitting income is usually a good idea when one spouse or common-law partner receives a larger pension than the other, as it can help reduce the overall tax burden as a household. Up to 50 per cent of pension income can be transferred from one spouse or partner to another, assuming you both live in Canada and have not split up for more than 90 days at the end of the year. To split the pension income, you’ll have to complete Form T1032 (Joint Election to Split Pension Income).
When reporting pension income, you may also be entitled to the pension credit, which could provide you with a personal amount of up to $2,000 come tax time. What’s even better is that if you and your partner split your pension income you may both be able to claim it.
The tricky part is knowing which pension income is eligible for splitting and which isn’t – as it depends on both age and type of pension received. Unfortunately, CPP (Canadian Pension Plan), OAS (Old Age Security) and QPP (Quebec Pension Plan) are some forms of income that are not eligible for splitting. However, if you’re 65 or older, eligible pension income includes annuity payments under a Registered Pension Plan (RPP), Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) or a deferred profit sharing plan (DPSP), and payments out of or under a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF). If you’re under 65, eligible pension income only includes lifetime annuity payments under an RPP and certain other payments received as a result of the death of your spouse or common-law partner.
For example, Mary’s total income for 2018 is $70,000, of which $55,000 is pension income ($15,000 was from other income sources) and qualified for splitting, as she’s more than65 years old. Her spouse, Joe, did not make any pension income that year and made only about $10,000 total through other sources of income. Mary can allocate up to $27,500 of her pension income over to Joe. When they file, Mary will report $42,500 in taxable income and Joe will report $37,500,but both will be able to claim the $2,000 pension income amount.

Know the qualifications for the age amount

It pays to age. If you’re 65 years or older by the end of the tax year, you can claim the federal age amount credit – as long as you earn less than $85,863 per year. The federal age amount is a non-refundable tax credit that allows you to reduce the amount of taxes you owe. The amount decreases as income increases, but if you have an income less than $36,976 you’ll be able to claim the maximum amount, which is $7,333.
Don’t forget, if you’re eligible to claim the federal age amount, you’re also entitled to claim a corresponding provincial age amount, which varies depending on which province or territory you live in.
The great thing about these credits is that they’re also transferable to a spouse or common-law partner, which you may want to do if all or part of the age amount isn’t needed to reduce the amount of taxes you owe to zero dollars. For example, Joe can claim the maximum age amount of $7,333, but does not have any federal tax payable. Since the age amount is non-refundable and cannot be carried forward for use in a future year, this means it’s wasted if he keeps it in his hands. However, he can transfer this amount to his wife Mary to hopefully help offset the amount of taxes she owes to zero. It’s a win-win!

Report foreign property to avoid penalties

If you have assets abroad with a total cost amount of more than $100,000, you’re required to report the details of those assets on Form T1135 (Foreign Income Verification Statement). There are penalties for non-disclosure or late filing of these items of $25 per day, up to $2,500 per taxpayer, so you don’t want to forget about this one.
Foreign property encompasses everything from real estate, bank accounts, investment accounts, shares in foreign companies and bonds. Luckily, there are a couple of exemptions, such as Canadian registered accounts (RRSPs, TFSAs, RRIFs) as well as property overseas solely for personal-use or property used for business. However, as soon as a property is rented, it must be reported as a foreign asset.

Decide when to tap into retirement savings

At some point, you’ll want to convert your RRSP into a RRIF, which will provide you with a steady stream of retirement income. However, this does not have to be straight away. If you have other sources of income, it may be worth holding off and continue contributing to your RRSP for as long as possible – as contributions are deductible and can reduce their tax bill. Everyone has until Dec. 31 of the year in which they turn 71 before they have to convert their RRSP into a form of retirement income.
The bottom line is, you have many avenues in which you can maximize your savings. When it comes time to file, it never hurts to get professional advice from a Canadian tax expert as there are a ton of credits and deductions you won’t want to miss.
Tips provided by H&R Block Canada.

Theatre District Condominiums

Landmark architecture and a coveted location set new Plaza condominium apart

As its name suggests, Theatre District Condominiums is a dream location for anyone who enjoys the arts, entertainment and a sophisticated urban lifestyle.

The project, coming soon from Plaza, is in the coveted Entertainment District, in the midst of some of the city’s most desirable shopping, nightlife and dining options. It’s a highly walkable neighbourhood that’s well served by transit and offers easy access to the PATH system.

Theatre District promises to be a landmark development, incorporating three distinctive elements: a south residential 49-storey tower, six historic rowhouses at 8 Widmer Street, and a north tower at 28 Widmer at the corner of Adelaide that will include a new international 26-storey hotel and 23-storey residential condo. Widmer is a quiet residential street just steps from the action of the Entertainment District and the excitement of the annual Toronto International Film Festival.

Theatre District Condominiums will respect the King West neighbourhood’s heritage flavour while exemplifying the best in urban living, says Les Klein, principal of Quadrangle Architects. Quadrangle has played a vital role in the revitalization of Downtown West, with key projects that helped to define the community identity, including 299 Queen Street West (originally home to CityTV and MuchMusic) and Studio on Richmond, an elegant two-tower condo development.

The materials, scale and detailing of Theatre District towers’ 11-storey podium pays tribute to the 1920s Art Deco-era Commodore Building immediately west of Adelaide in what used to be the Fashion District. The slender towers above the podiums use faceted, shaded metal panels within an elegant pattern to accentuate the verticality of the structures and offer expansive windows to emphasize the views. The hotel and condominiums of 28 Widmer are seamlessly interwoven in the tower design, and the upper level residential suites enjoy expansive downtown views. 8 Widmer’s tower employs a similar architectural vocabulary, rotated 90 degrees to the main axis of 28 Widmer to maximize views, says Klein.

The towers’ individual lobbies are connected internally and they share amenity spaces at the ground floor and the third floor of the podium at 8 Widmer.

“Thinking about the two towers, we wanted to make them feel like part of a family, not to be identical or even fraternal twins,” says Klein. He says one of the cool things about Toronto is that “you can turn a corner and have a completely different experience. In some neighbourhoods, around every corner there is delight and surprise. We love to build on that sense.”

The six rowhouses that are part of the Theatre District Condominiums site provided the opportunity to create that surprise. They will be restored to their former glory in accordance with heritage guidelines and offered as live-work units. Klein says one dilemma was how to pay homage to the rowhouses in the centre of the development and not have the north tower block the view of them from the corner. The answer was to literally cut out the first two floors of the podium and create a large canopy that forms the entrance on Adelaide.

“It’s a lovely time warp and the canopy hangs over it in a magical way. All of a sudden, you go around the corner and you’re suddenly on an 18th century street,” says Klein. “These are going to be restored as proud examples of worker housing, but with a modern flavour catering to the worker of today who wants to integrate work, live and play. There will be six distinct addresses and will be a unique opportunity. Plaza has a vision of how this will provide an opportunity for incubator businesses and entrepreneurs.”

Tower residents will enjoy first-class exclusive amenities at Theatre District Condominiums, including an outdoor pool, fully-equipped gym and party room, says Scott McLellan, Plaza’s senior vice president. They’ll also be able to appreciate the amenity-rich neighbourhood that includes some of the city’s best retail stores and restaurants.

The suites are priced so a wide variety of buyers will be able to take advantage of the city lifestyle in a Triple A location.

“We have junior one-bedroom suites priced from $375,000 to $400,000, perfect for first-time buyers and empty nesters who want to have a place to hang their hat in the Entertainment District,” says McLellan. Those units will also attract investor interest.

Plaza has enjoyed great success with its well-designed two-bedroom, two-bath suites at other projects, and these will be part of the mix at Theatre District (including corner units), 625 to 650 square feet in size, priced from $595,000 to $625,000. A generous 15 per cent of units has been allocated to three-bedroom units of 812 to 884 square feet in size, priced from $775,000 to $990,000, including the penthouse and lower penthouse floors.

With its juxtaposition of heritage and contemporary elements, sophisticated residential living and dynamic street, Theatre District epitomizes the best in urbane city living.

The Bank of Canada held its target for the overnight rate at 1.75 per cent on Jan. 9, where it has been since October 2018, and is lowering its growth forecast this year for Canada and around the world.

It may be a new year, but not necessarily a happy one for everyone. A new CIBC poll finds paying down debt is the top financial priority for Canadians heading in 2019. Almost a third (29 per cent) say they've taken on more debt in the past 12 months, citing day-to-day expenses as the key reason for piling up debt.

Pantone’s 2019 Colour of the Year “Living Coral” can do almost anything, proving itself to be much more than just an accent colour. We sat down with Nicholas Rosaci, interior design expert and upcoming speaker at the 2019 GTA Home & Reno Show, to talk decor trends and learn how to incorporate this vibrant hue into our home for the upcoming year.

A team of volunteers from Great Gulf recently prepared and served food at Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) in Toronto, by participating in the Home for Dinner program bringing smiles and a delicious, hot dinner to 150 people.

The GTA new home market saw more typical activity levels in November, both in new home sales and new project openings, after a relatively strong October, the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) reports.

Fisher & Paykel incorporates the world’s most innovative technologies and produce the most technically advanced, efficient and contemporary styled appliances. DCS created the first line of high end, commercial quality appliances and expanded to pioneer indoor and outdoor kitchen solutions for the at home chef. TRADE ONLY.

With over 90 years of experience, BLANCO is the leading kitchen sinks and faucets manufacturer. From handcrafted in Germany Steelart® sinks and the beauty of Silgranit®, to the European design faucets, BLANCO products are celebrated worldwide for their unmatched quality and design. Blanco Silgranit® sinks are proudly manufactured in Canada TRADE ONLY.

BONE Structure has designed and patented a structural steel frame and insulation system that is the best integrator to build Net-Zero Energy custom homes. Using an integrated process inspired by the aerospace industry, we design and build high-performance, sustainable homes.

We've been proudly serving the community for more than 160 years. We deliver natural gas safely and reliably to two million homes and businesses across Ontario. With safety as our ongoing priority, we're committed to making communities better places to live.

Since 1989 Men At Work has specialized in renewing and enlarging older houses in core Toronto neighbourhoods. We are experts in managing the challenges of renovating sensitive old buildings into beautiful, functional, comfortable living spaces.

At Riobel we design, create and assemble faucets, shower systems and accessories in our Canadian facility located in St-Jérôme, a suburb of Montréal. Our modern and fashionable products are designed to fit all kitchens or bathrooms. They are easy to install, while mechanical parts are accessible from above the counter to facilitate cleaning and maintenance. Riobel: a benchmark of excellence since 1995!

More than a kitchen and bath luxury showroom, The Water Closet offers unparalleled service, selection and solutions for all your plumbing and heating needs. Our goal is to be your full-service showroom while “Enhancing the Flow of Life”.

Euro-Line Appliances has brought elite European engineered appliances to Canadian homes for over 25 years. Our brands exceed expectations and have earned awards in design, engineering, performance, and energy efficiency. All of our cooking, refrigeration, dishwashers, and laundry appliances are created to conserve our non-renewable resources.

Established in 1987, Caesarstone pioneered the original quartz surface and continues to be a leading developer and manufacturer of premium surfaces. Highly functional and design forward, Caesarstone surfaces have endless application possibilities including kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, wall paneling, furniture and more.

Over the past 14 years Factory Tile Depot has become #1 for everything tile and stone. With 5 locations showcasing the latest and greatest trends in the tile industry, we have built the confidence of trade and retail clients alike. We are proud to offer well thought out showrooms, extensive selections of hard to find tile-stone, on site designers, and some of the best after care support in the industry. Experience the FTD difference on your next project.

Fusion Stone is an easy and budget-friendly way to beautifully upgrade your home, inside and out. A patented Shouldice innovation, Fusion Stone is a thin stone veneer that is easily installed with the included stainless steel clips & screws. You just screw it to the wall and it’s “Hooked for Life”.

Through our customer feedback, we have learned the importance of ‘service’. You said and we listened. We addressed your needs and improvised; bringing you services and quality no one in the industry offers.

Created by fusion of exceptional design, superior quartz quality and cutting-edge technology, HansStone Quartz weaves together intriguing patterns and colours inspired by the diverse Canadian landscape.

X-Tile is sure to have whatever you need to express your unique individual style. We offer you an exceptional variety of wall and flooring options in ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, glass, mosaic and much more from leading suppliers around the world. Let our knowledgeable and friendly staff help you in your dream renovation or building project.

Sharing Passion & Performance. With our unique expertise and sensibilities, gained from our devotion to sound and music, we are committed to creating excitement and cultural inspiration together with people around the world.

Cosentino is a global, family-owned company that produces and distributes high value innovative surfaces for the world of architecture and design, leaders in their respective segments such as Silestone® Quartz surfaces and Dekton® Ultracompact surfaces. Technologically advanced surfaces that create unique designs for the home and public spaces.

Discovery Dream Homes Ltd. Is a leader in innovative design, world class manufacturing and global marketing of the highest quality log and Timberframe products. We provide services for both residential and commercial projects.

Dimplex North America Limited is the world leader in electric heating, offering a wide range of residential, commercial and industrial products. The company’s commitment to innovation has fostered outstanding product development and design excellence. Stoves, fireplaces and specialty fireplaces are sold throughout North America under the Dimplex brand name for consumers and under OptiFlame for builders.

A 180 acre (74 hectares) private gated community with a wooded setting located a few minutes from Panama City’s downtown. Tucán has created several styles for stunning villas, luxurious condos and apartments to choose from. All the residences are built and designed with the highest international standards of quality.

Euro-Line Appliances has brought elite European engineered appliances to Canadian homes for over 25 years. Our brands exceed expectations and have earned awards in design, engineering, performance, and energy efficiency. Euro-Line Appliances are proud distributors of products from AEG, LIEBHERR, PORTER&CHARLES, SMEG, and FRANKE in Canada.